Getting a head start on saving

BritOnABudget

I thought it would be a good idea to keep a diary on here so I can keep track on my savings and see how far I have come.

Currently my funds are:

House Deposit: £2,500
New York Fund: £250
Holiday Fund: £74.55
Emergency Fund: £66.70
Car Costs: £70.83
Christmas 2018: £40

I'm hoping to have saved £4000 in my LISA by April while still saving for my funds so I plan to work hard with surveys and ebaying etc.:D

savingwannabe

Hello Lauren and welcome. It's great to have a new member of the forum. Well done on your savings so far. You have more in your Christmas Fund than I do! :j:money::T:):A

Kittikins

Good luck on the ebaying, I might need to take that back up again myself in 2018. Welcome to the board!

BritOnABudget

Added £150 to my LISA which brings it to £2650.
I have cut down massively on buying lunches at work however need to try and do this with takeaways too. Not too bothered about meals out as I see these as a treat.

savingwannabe

That's great. I take sarnies to work as much as possible and it really helps. It has taken me years to do this so I do applaud you. I have been having takeaways recently but they have been really dear and not so tasty so I should give these up.

I'm trying (I don't know if it will work) to meet friends and order coffee only to keep the cost down. I don't know if I will be able to do it but it is one of my resolutions.

BritOnABudget

savingwannabe wrote: »

That's great. I take sarnies to work as much as possible and it really helps. It has taken me years to do this so I do applaud you. I have been having takeaways recently but they have been really dear and not so tasty so I should give these up.

I'm trying (I don't know if it will work) to meet friends and order coffee only to keep the cost down. I don't know if I will be able to do it but it is one of my resolutions.

I know how you feel, it's far too tempting when you pass the counter and see all the lovely cakes and sandwiches:rotfl:
Thank you so much for your support!

BritOnABudget

I managed to keep a spreadsheet of all my expenses this year by looking at bank statements and collating these.
I was disgusted by the totals to be honest so I wouldn't be surprised if some of you are too, however I only started to minimise spending and maximise saving in July so I'm hoping my totals will be a lot better for 2018
Baring in mind I live with parents so I do not pay any rent or bills, and my only commitment is my car, so here goes....

Cash Withdrawls: £2,258.12
Food Shopping: £1,120.04
Meals Out/Takeaway: £868.83
Gifts: £589.83
Pub: £314.67
Going Out: £126.85
Clothes: £1,048.42
Contact Lenses: £108.30
Phone: £202
Petrol: £1,126.75
Days Out: £734.77
Misc: £1,099.57
TOTAL: £9,598.15


I understand that this is not 100% accurate due to the cash withdrawls (as I know I have spent A LOT more money going out:D) and the misc column therefore I'm planning to spend more on my card this year to keep track of exactly where my money goes.

Thanks for reading and following my journey to saving!

savingwannabe

Blimey, that is sooo organised and a real motivation to improve.

BritOnABudget

I've made a meal plan for my lunches next week so I'm not tempted to buy anything and there's a bit of variety:

Monday - Potato and egg salad (£1.50 but can have a go at making myself in the future)
Tuesday - Jacket potato with cheese
Wednesday - Tomato soup and bread
Thursday - Ham, tomatoes, pickled onions (about £1.30 for ham)
Friday - Pasta with salmon mayo

So I should only need to spend about £3 for the week.

After making my quiche tomorrow I'm also planning to go to Halfords and take advantage of the free winter car check.

savingwannabe

Hi again that is v organised.:money::money: Well done. I'm one of those that ends up throwing lots of food away as I don't use it. This meal planning malarkey has many advocates. I'm not disciplined enough for it.

SuperHan

Hi!
I'm always so envious of the people with the motivation to take lunches to work. Even if I buy the stuff, I can never be bothered the night before or the morning of. I think I just have to chalk that up as one of the expenses I am willing to incur. I am going to keep reading though in the hope I get inspired enough to kick me into action!